Durham Public Schools District allocated a total of $4.7 million from state funds to supplies and materials in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 37% decrease when compared to the $7.5 million spent the previous year on supplies and materials.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $158.8 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $68.5 million was spent, and purchased services with $6.6 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $4.7 million and $205,749, respectively.
Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).
| Category | Spending in 2022-23 | Spending in 2023-24 | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchased Services | $5,624,882 | $6,638,432 | 18% |
| Salary | $155,151,903 | $158,800,624 | 2.4% |
| Employee Benefits | $67,702,649 | $68,472,493 | 1.1% |
| Supplies And Materials | $7,478,771 | $4,711,637 | -37% |
| Capital Outlay | $999,464 | $205,749 | -79.4% |
| Other | — | $22,716 | — |
